Playwork (4964)

Last Updated: 26 Jul 2022

Coming soon:

4964-30 Level 3 Transition Award in Playwork (from Early Years) is going to be replaced by new 4974-30 Level 3 Award in Transition to Playwork this September 2021. Please ensure you are signed up for focus alerts for any updates. 

The 4694-30 will close for registrations on 31 October 2021 and the end certification date will be 31 October 2024.

Our suite of Playwork qualifications is designed to give you the skills, knowledge and competence required for a career in playwork.

You'll gain the skills to communicate effectively with young people and to help their development through play.

This suite of qualifications has been designed by both industry and educational experts and provides a flexible approach for various playwork locations and situations.

The suite of qualifications ,at Levels 2, 3, 4 and 5,  is ideal if you are looking for a career in Playwork.

You could use it to work with school-aged children in play groups, leisure centres and schools.
Available to deliver in the following:
  • England
  • Wales – please check QiW website for available funding
  • Scotland
  • Northern Ireland

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form. 

General Information

What Is Involved In Studying This Course?

You'll cover things like:

  • promoting positive behaviour
  • communication
  • health, safety and wellbeing.

For the Awards and Certificates you will be assessed by practical demonstration and assignment.

For the Diplomas you will be required to complete a portfolio of evidence.

Which level is right for me?

Level 2
You have worked in a playwork setting for some time. You would like to progress your career in order to take on greater responsibility.

Level 3
You're either working as a supervisor in a playwork setting or would like to take on a supervisory role - this could be in a job at an after-school club, adventure playground or play scheme.

Levels 4 and 5
You  are an experienced playworker and your role requires you to develop, lead and review temporary or permanent playwork provisions.

What Careers Can This Lead To?

Completing the qualifications could lead to a role as a:

  • Playworker
  • Childminder
  • Holiday centre worker or manager
  • Holiday representative
  • Leisure centre assistant or manager
  • Play therapist
  • School lunchtime supervisor
  • Youth and community worker.
What Is Involved With Delivering This Course?
For the Awards and Certificates, assessment will be by assignments.
For the the Diplomas, you will be required to complete a portfolio of evidence
To deliver these qualifications you will need qualified trainers and  assessors - you can train internal members of staff or recruit specially.

You will also need suitable facilities to carry out the required training to enable learners to achieve industry standards.

4964-03
Centres already approved to offer the 4834-13 Level 3 NVQ in Playwork may apply for approval for the new 4964-03 Level 3 Award/Certificate/Diploma in Playwork using the fast-track approval form.

4964-30
Centres already approved to offer the 4834-13 Level 3 NVQ in Playwork and 4964-03 may apply for approval for the new 4964-30 Level 3 Award in Transition to Playwork (from Early Years) using the fast-track approval form.
Centres already approved to offer 6978-10 Level 3 Award in Playwork for Early Years and Child Care Workers will be automatically approved for the new 4964-30 Level 3 Award in Transition to Playwork (from Early Years).

Download the form for fast-track or automatic approval from the centre documents section.
Anyone can take these qualifications. To find all the resource requirements, download the qualification handbook from the centre documents section.

Level 2

Level 2 will suit you if you have worked in a playwork setting for some time. You would like to progress in your career and take on greater responsibility.

There are three sizes of qualification available at this level:

  • Level 2 Award in Playwork
  • Level 2 Certificate in Playwork
  • Level 2 Diploma in Playwork.

To gain the award, learners must achieve 10 credits' worth of mandatory units. For the longer certificate, learners must achieve 25 credits' worth of mandatory units. The diploma requires that learners complete 45 credits' worth of mandatory units, as well as a minimum of 16 credits from a range of optional units.

Sample units are:

  • Playwork principles
  • Reflective playwork practice
  • Support the travel of children and young people outside the play environment.

For a full list of units, download the qualification handbook from the centre documents section.

What Careers Can This Lead To?

Completing the qualifications could lead to a role as a:

  • Playworker
  • Childminder
  • Holiday centre worker or manager
  • Holiday representative
  • Leisure centre assistant or manager
  • Play therapist
  • School lunchtime supervisor
  • Youth and community worker.
Level 2 in Playwork (4964-02)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2026

Level 2 Diploma in Playwork (NVQ)

  • Accreditation No: 500/8681/9 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 61 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 437 - 442 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 610 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2028 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £126.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 3

Level 3 will suit you if you're either working as a supervisor in a playwork setting or would like to take on a supervisory role - this could be in a job at an after-school club, adventure playground or play scheme.

To complete the Level 3 Award you must achieve 12 credits from two mandatory units.

  • Understand aspects of playwork practice
  • Understand the theories underpinning playwork practice.

To complete the Level 3 Certificate you must achieve 32 credits from the nine mandatory units. Mandatory units include:

  • Understand Playwork principles
  • Understand children and young people's self-directed play
  • Understand how to safeguard the well-being of children and young people.

To complete the level 3 Diploma you must achieve 65 credits in total- 46 credits from the 13 mandatory units and a minimum of 19 credits from the optional units available. Mandatory units include:

  • Work with colleagues in a Playwork team
  • Understand Playwork principles
  • Manage a budget.

For a full list of units, download the qualification handbook from the centre documents section.

The level 3 Award in Transition to Playwork (from early years) has been designed for candidates who have successfully completed a level 3 early years qualification based on either the early years, care and education standards or the children's care, learning and development standards.



What Careers Can This Lead To?

Completing the qualifications could lead to a role as a:

  • Playworker
  • Childminder
  • Holiday centre worker or manager
  • Holiday representative
  • Leisure centre assistant or manager
  • Play therapist
  • School lunchtime supervisor
  • Youth and community worker.
Level 3 Diploma in Playwork (NVQ) (4964-03)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2026 Supportive services: Learning Assistant

Level 3 Diploma in Playwork (NVQ)

  • Accreditation No: 501/1488/8 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 65 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 477 - 492 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 650 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2029 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £143.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.
Level 3 Award in Transition to Playwork (from Early Years) (4964-30)
Last Registration Date: 31 Oct 2021

Level 3 Transition award in Playwork (from Early Years)

  • Accreditation No: 600/1229/8 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 12 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 80 - 80 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 120 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/10/2024 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: TBC, please speak to your Account Manager for further information Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 5

Level 5 is ideal for candidates who, as experienced playworkers, are developing, leading and reviewing permanent or temporary play provisions.
The qualification available at this level is:
Level 5 Diploma in Playwork (NVQ) (4964-05)
What Careers Can This Lead To?

This qualification will provide experienced playworkers with the relevant knowledge and skills to progress into employment as:

  • Managers of playwork settings
  • Playwork development officers
  • Trainers/lecturers.

Candidates might also wish to progress on to:

  • Generic management qualifications
  • PTTLS
  • Foundation degree/degree

 

Level 5 Diploma in Playwork (4964-05)
Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2024

Level 5 Diploma in Playwork (NVQ)

  • Accreditation No: 600/6936/3 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
  • Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
  • Credits: 60 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
  • Guided Learning Hours: 381 - 381 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
  • Total Qualification Time: 600 The total time for the qualification
  • Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
  • Last Certification: 31/08/2027 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
  • Qualification fees in the UK: £206.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Additional information for centres

Learning Assistant

LEARNING ASSISTANT IS AVAILABLE FOR THIS QUALIFICATION

Learning Assistant is an innovative and cost effective e-portfolio solution that allows colleges and training providers to dramatically improve the delivery of their vocational qualifications.

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Here you can find all documents related to this suite of qualifications.

By clicking on the section headings below, you can access a variety of documents such as the qualification handbooks and assessment materials, Statements of Purpose, and recognition letters from industry and employers.

Some documents may be password protected. Passwords can be retrieved by logging in to Walled Garden and visiting the Administration section of the relevant qualification catalogue page.

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form. 

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> (4974) Award in Transition to Playwork